YEAR 8 students from Harrow Way Community School used The Hawk Conservancy Trust to help with studying the subject of predators.

The trip, part of the wider science curriculum, enabled the students to learn from the keepers who work with more than 150 birds of prey.

Rachel Atherton, head of Year 9 at the school said: “Spending time with the keepers, getting very close to the birds and actually handling them has enabled the students to see for themselves how predators have to adapt in order to survive.

“This trip is so effective that next year I am planning for it to include some GCSE biology units, which will focus on adaptations and survival and we are also hoping to take part in some conversation work with the trust.”

Each year the Hawk Conservancy welcomes 65,000 visitors.

There are more than 50 species of birds from little pygmy owls to the very large griffon vulture.

Alongside its conservation, research and educational work, the trust is an important centre for receiving injured birds of prey and has one of the only specialist bird of prey hospitals in the UK.